So how do you folks deal with chord progression?

The Lounge
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I mean, let’s face it - 64 steps is not so many.

So far I’ve had some success with 1/4 division on track scale and using microtiming for syncopation. Would be happy to hear if there’s an easier way!

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I think the common approach if your harmony rhythm is slow enough is to just use the pattern speed multiplier.

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Conditional Locks.

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I like to pick some chords, and then progress through them.

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Chain patterns for longer sequences.
Sample stuff.

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Using some other sequencer than Elektron usually works for me, although the scale modifiers find a bunch of use as well

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So I guess my question is rather, how do you deal with bass or melody notes?

I’m currently trying to come up with a table to “squeeze” a 16-step sequence into 4 steps using scale divider and microtiming.

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Adding to this…

I usually make 3 trigs, on Steps 1, 2, and 16.

Use microtimng to shove Step 16 all the way forward and Step 2 all the way back.

Now you have 3 possible notes for step 1. Add conditionals for each one (say 1:4, 3:4, and 2:2) and bam, and there’s your chord progression or bassline.

(If need, repeat on measures/Pages 2-4.)

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One thing to keep in mind if you use Step 16 with this method is that it may not act how you expect at first, because you have to remember that that 16th Step is the LAST STEP OF THE PREVIOUS GO-AROUND.

So if you want two make an 8-bar pattern and program Step 16 to play every 2nd time (e.g. the first step of bar 5), you actually want to put it as “1:2” and not “2:2”, or it will sound like it’s playing the FIRST TIME, because remember it’s part of the previous go-around (step 16), not the next one (step 1).

It can be confusing at first but you’ll figure it out.

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Why?

You know you can chain patterns right? For longer more complex sequences.

There’s also song mode, if you’re into that sort of thing. Basically sequences within sequences.

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I use a lot of conditional triggers, and it gets overwhelming if I need to keep track of them spread over several patterns. Maybe it’s just how my brain works.

Also I use always a similar structure with the pattern numbers (intro, buildup, breakdown etc) so I don’t need to memorize pattern numbers when playing live.

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Why do you need to memorize conditional trigs?

Surely that’s the whole point in them- automation. They perform condional events so you dont have to.

Lost as to what your question is here.

First it was about chord sequences, with some implication that you were struggling with 64 steps.

Then its bass and melody?

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It was about memorizing pattern numbers, not trigs. Edited my post for clarity

Yes, they follow the chord notes, ie chord progression

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I went with hapax, all the issues i had are gone. It can also read midi files. Make something up in Scaler, then let the midi fx do its thing. Can have conditionals too. Instrument definition makes automation a breeze.

A4 and DN are sound modules, the performance marcos are used in conjunction, or automated. Automate the fx, like in Abelton.

For couch operation, the internal seq is still good.

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can use arp patterns for basslines that follow the chords, though it’s not perfect, one trig per chord change. I usually use 1/4 or 1/8 scale for chord progressions.
generally i find it tedious and painful on Elektron sequencer, no transpose per page.
I prefer using M8 to sequence this kind of stuff.